|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Group Classes & Private Lessons Experience the magic and power of community drumming. Learn to play rhythms from Latin America and Africa as well as ways to develop and express your own rhythms. Basic Conga drum technique and principals of rhythm are taught in a playful and systematic approach that emphasizes learning, creativity and fun. Affordable week night classes with drums provided are offered in a convenient Berkeley location. Monthly introductory workshops are a great way for beginners to get started. Mika has over 15 years experience teaching and performing drumming. He has performed with Phil Lesh, and numerous Bay Area Bands. The following article was featured in the artist section in of The Open Exchange Magazine. FUN AND TRANSFORMATION THROUGH DRUMMING After many years of teaching drumming in many settings, I've observed my students thriving most when given room to express themselves in a playful and creative way while also provided with patient, clear and challenging instruction. I believe that all the stages that we want to grow in as human beings can be reflected through drumming. The first "free play" stage is about simply exploring different rhythms and sounds of the drum. In this way we learn to follow and trust our unfiltered and spontaneous impulses without being restricted by our criticisms and judgements. Gradually, we move towards the stage of "developing technique". By striking the drum with different positions of the hand, we can produce a wide range of different tones. By playing these different tones in patterns we start creating more intricate rhythms. At this point we can begin the next stage of "community drumming" where we combine our individual patterns into group rhythms creating a unique shared experience. As we put into practice these different stages of development, we eventually create more complex arrangements, that integrate spontaneity and structure. Through this process we build confidence as we discover a language to express the many peaks and valleys of our internal landscape that can't be described in words.
|
